In Memoriam: Summer 2015

Hossein Bahmanyar MSc ’74 of Woodland Hills, Calif., died Jan. 5, 2011. Born in 1945, he received his bachelor’s degree from the Fanni School of Engineering in Tehran, Iran (1967), his master’s degree in mining engineering from Mines (1974), and his PhD in rock mechanics and soil engineering from the University of Wisconsin (1981). He also received a second master’s degree in geotechnical engineering. Hossein was a skilled geotechnical engineer for Caltrans District 7, which serves Los Angeles and Ventura counties in California. His six years working in the District 7 Hazardous Waste Branch involved soil and groundwater testing and remediation to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations. In 1993, he cofounded the Fanni Reunion Foundation, a California nonprofit organization that benefits the alumni and staff of his alma mater in Iran and promotes social, technological, academic, and professional networking among its members. He was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Society of Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration.

Michael L. Batzle of Golden, Colo., died Jan. 9, 2015. Born in 1950, he received his bachelor’s degree in geology from the University of California, Riverside, and his PhD in geophysics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He joined ARCO Oil and Gas in 1979, where he established an experimental rock physics laboratory in Plano, TX. After his retirement in 1994, he became a research associate professor in the Geophysics Department at Mines. In 2007, he was promoted to professor and became the Baker Hughes Distinguished Chair of Petrophysics and Borehole Geophysics. A pioneer in laboratory measurements of fluids and rock properties, Mike received the Virgil Kauffman Gold Medal award from the Society of Exploration Geophysicists. He was one of the fathers of the Batzle-Wang fluid properties equation, and he holds U.S. patents on tool designs. His research program includes low-frequency measurements of sonic dispersion and attenuation and the geophysical signature of fluids in rocks. He also perfected the unique seismic frequency velocity measurement apparatus now used at Mines.

Austin R. ‘Bob’ Brown Jr. of Arvada, Colo., died Sept. 30, 2013. Born in 1925, he received his bachelor’s degree from Grinnell College and his PhD from Yale University. Bob was an emeritus professor of mathematical and computer sciences at Mines. He also served as the director of the computer center at Mines in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Walter M. ‘Chappy’ Chapman ’50 of Cincinnati, Ohio, died March 25, 2012. Born in 1921, Chappy served in the U.S. Army with the 10th Mountain Division, renowned for its dramatic ascent and capture of Riva Ridge in Italy during World War II. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in geological engineering from Mines, he became a surveyor for the National Lead Company in Tahawus, New York, and spent his entire career at the mine, working as mine superintendent for many years and retiring as mine manager in 1982. He served 30 years on the local school board and was active in the Adirondack Nature Conservancy.

Mattney Cole of Lakewood, Colo., died Dec. 18, 2014. Born in 1942, he received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Southern Methodist University. Although the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys drafted Matt as an offensive lineman, he didn’t enjoy the pro football experience and decided to teach chemistry instead. He received his PhD from Florida State University and joined the chemistry faculty at Mines that same year. Matt taught general chemistry from 1982 to 1988, when he joined Special Programs and Continuing Education (SPACE). He developed several short courses, including one related to the assessment and remediation of petroleum-contaminated sites, especially underground storage tanks. He also authored two books on the subject: Assessment and Remediation of Petroleum Contaminated Sites and Underground Storage Tank Installation and Management. He was the program coordinator at SPACE from 1994 until he retired in 2000, and he was a member of the President’s Council at Mines. His ashes were distributed on a 14er in Colorado and in Dark Canyon in Utah.

Eugene M. ‘Gene’ Dickerhoof ’66 of Corvallis, Ore., died May 23, 2012. Born in 1943, Gene, received a football scholarship at Mines, eventually earning his bachelor’s degree in metallurgy. He then completed a tour of duty with the U.S. Army in Vietnam. Marion moved to the San Francisco Bay area in 1969 and began selling industrial air-handling systems, but he soon developed an interest in construction. He obtained a general contractor’s license, took courses in real estate, and launched a new career in residential construction. In the late 1970s, he and his family moved to Carmel, Calif., where he developed a successful business building and renovating high-end residential properties. In the 1990s, he and his two sons formed Dickerhoof Properties and bought and renovated old apartment buildings in California and Oregon. The company owns 19 small to midsize retail centers, 17 of which are in Oregon. The Corvallis Chamber of Commerce recognized the company as the 2010 Business of the Year.

Richard J. Evans ’63 of Bellingham, Wash., died Feb. 22, 2015.Born in 1939, Richard received his bachelor’s degree in metallurgy from Mines, where he was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. He worked at the Hanford Nuclear Facility until 1968, when he moved to Oklahoma City and worked for the Kerr-McGee Corporation’s nuclear facility. Seven years later, Richard moved to Israel and worked for the Israel Electric Company. After becoming an Israeli citizen, he was drafted into the Israel Defense Forces as a reservist. In 1982, he moved to Johannesburg to work at South Africa’s Electricity Supply Commission. In 1986, he returned to the United States and worked as the quality assurance manager for Carpenter Technology’s special products division in San Diego until his retirement in 2004.

Edmond H. Farrington MS ’49 of Marietta, Ga., died Aug. 4, 2011. Born in 1920, he graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1942, received his master’s degree in mining engineering from Mines, and served as a U.S. Army engineer in Europe in World War II and during the Korean War. Following the wars, Ed served in a variety of engineer and artillery postings until his retirement in 1967. He then worked as an engineer advisor for the Kerr-McGee Corporation for several years.

John ‘Goldie’ Poitevent Golden II ’39 of Atlanta, Ga., died March 12, 2011. Born in 1917, he attended Auburn University and received his metallurgical engineering degree from Mines. A U.S. Marine Corps fighter pilot in World War II, Goldie received numerous air medals for his outstanding service at Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima, and in several combat missions from the USS Bennington. He was also mentioned in the national bestseller Flyboys, which was adapted for a film in 2006. He retired in 1982 as the southeast regional manager for Fafnir Bearings.

Kenneth ‘Allen’ Granot ’43 of Temple, Texas, died July 17, 2011. Born in 1921, Allen received his petroleum engineering degree from Mines and worked as a petroleum engineer for most of his life. After graduating from Mines, he served in World War II as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and was a Bronze Star recipient. After completing his military duty, he moved his family to Ohio, where he worked as a petroleum engineer for Pure Oil at Heath Refinery from 1947 to 1957. They then moved to Illinois, where he worked for and retired from Union Oil.

Carol Job of Littleton, Colo., died Jan. 15, 2015. Born in 1939, Carol taught mathematics for 48 years at Catholic schools and in the public school system, and for 15 years at Mines. She received her bachelor’s degree in 1965 from the College of Mount Saint Joseph (now Mount Saint Joseph University). In 1973, she received her master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame. In 2007, Mines recognized Carol as one of its most distinguished professors, based on student evaluations. Thanks to the support of friends, former students, and several mathematics faculty members, a fund has been established in memory of Carol. The fund recognizes and encourages excellence in instruction and recognizes students who have benefitted from such instruction and excelled beyond expectations.

Rick J. Leser ’73 of Vincennes, Ind., died Jan. 21, 2010. Born in 1950, he received his bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering from Mines. Rick worked for Alcoa for 19 years and was plant manager for Scepter Industries for 10 years. Most recently, he was a vintner and owned and operated Windy Knoll Winery in his hometown in Indiana.

Robert G. Middleton ’49 of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., died Sept. 2, 2012. Born in 1921, he served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and then returned to Mines to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering. He was married to Sylvania ‘Sally’ Ranes, who was an employee of Mines. Bob was the first metallurgist employed by the Maytag Company. He also worked for Solar Aircraft, Westinghouse, Atomics International, and Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, where he was one of the lead consulting engineers in the development of high-tech metals used on advanced aircraft. In 1976, while serving as Supervisor of Fabrication Research for PWA/United Technologies, he was given a U.S. patent for developing a special metal process. Known as ‘Coach Bob’ for his service to youth athletics, he served for years as director of the Palm Beach Gardens Youth Athletic Association, with whom he coached and umpired all over the county. He coached his last basketball game at the age of 82.

Craig Myers ’74, MS ’77 of Windsor, Colo., died Sept. 8, 2013. Born in 1951, he received his bachelor’s degree in geological engineering and his master’s degree in geology from Mines. Craig spent four years in Brazil as a child, so after graduating from Mines, he limited his job search to companies with a foreign division and spent most of his 30-year career overseas. With Marathon Oil Company and later with Royal Dutch Shell, Craig lived in Ireland, London, Oman, Scotland, Brunei, and The Hague, in addition to traveling to Southeast Asia and Australia. He came out of early retirement to join a former colleague as a principal geologist for Leap Energy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Anthony R. Pagano ’57 of Ormond Beach, Calif., died Oct. 13, 2010. Born in 1930, he served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1953, and then received his degree in metallurgical engineering from Mines. Tony spent the last 35 years of his working life with Stanley Works in Connecticut.

Toby T. Peterson ’68 of Durango, Colo., died April 8, 2010. Born in 1945, he received his professional degree in mining engineering from Mines. After graduation, he worked for Proctor & Gamble in Kansas City. He and his family returned to Colorado and bought a restaurant in downtown Durango in 1973, which they named Farquahrts and Pizza Mia.

Eugene J. Rutkoski ’64 of Reading, Pa., died Nov. 5, 2012. Born in 1942, he received his BSE from Mines. He served in the U.S. Army from 1964 to 1966 and worked as a metallurgist at Inspiration Consolidated Copper Company until 1971. After he received his MBA from the University of Denver in 1973, he founded General Battery Corporation and worked there for several years in various capacities. He became a private consultant in battery failure analysis before retiring in 1999. Eugene was a member of ASM International; the Society of Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration; and the Minerals, Metals & Materials Society.

Gustav Stolz Jr. ’50 of Butte, Mont., died June 25, 2011. Born in 1924, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps (now the U.S. Air Force), where he was trained as an airplane mechanic and saw action in numerous battles. Soon after being discharged, he received his bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering from Mines, where he was Alpha Tau Omega. He then received his master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma. Gus performed research and development work for Standard Oil and Gas. In 1955, he moved his family to Butte after being recruited by Montana Tech (then the School of Mines) to head the college’s petroleum engineering department and serve as dean of students and as director of placement. He retired as professor emeritus in 1983. Gus was then recruited by the Environmental Protection Agency and worked as a groundwater specialist for drilling operations based in its Denver office. He retired fully in 1997. In 2000, the College of Montana Tech of the University of Montana awarded him an honorary doctorate degree.

Paul W. Tamm ’66 of Oakland, Ore., died Feb. 16, 2013. Born in 1944, he received his professional degree in petroleum refining engineering from Mines, where he graduated valedictorian and was a member of Beta Theta Pi. Paul obtained his PhD in chemical engineering from the University of Minnesota in 1970. He spent his professional career at Chevron Research in California, working in petroleum refining and conducting research on refinery processes, synthetic fuels production, and chemicals manufacturing. Paul and his wife Betty moved to Oakland in 1992, where he served as mayor and then started Tripe Oak Vineyard. He served as a mentor for the Mines Alumni Association from 2008 to 2010.

Harry ‘Kay’ White ’61 of Hudson, Fla., died June 6, 2011. Born in 1938, he received his bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering from Mines, where he played baseball and football. During his junior year, as quarterback, he was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) by the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Kay was president of Sta-Power Industries, Inc., and he traveled the country as a successful entrepreneur. In 1971, he received the Spirit of Life Award from the City of Hope. This humanitarian award was presented to him by former California Governor Pat Brown.

Robert E.D. ‘Gene’ Woolsey of Wheat Ridge, Colo., died March 16, 2015. Born in 1936, he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics and his PhD in mechanical engineering. Gene came to Mines in 1969. Under his leadership, the Operations Research/ Management Science Program became one of only five U.S. programs designated by the U.S. Army for educating its officers in this field. He also held teaching appointments at seven colleges and universities in four countries: the United States, South Africa, Mexico, and Canada. In 1986, Gene was the first recipient of the Harold Larnder Prize for Distinguished International Achievement in Operations Research, awarded by The Canadian Operational Research Society. In 1999, he received the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) Award for the Teaching of OR/ MS Practice. In 2002, he was named one of 113 in the world to receive the INFORMS Fellow Award. The U.S. Department of the Army awarded Gene the Commander’s Medal, the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal, and the Distinguished Civilian Service Medal, which is the highest U.S. civilian decoration. In 2003, he retired from Mines and became a professor emeritus. In 1987, he was made an honorary member of the Mines Alumni Association.

Memorial gifts to the Colorado School of Mines Foundation are a meaningful way to honor the legacy of friends and colleagues while communicating your support to survivors. For more information, contact Christina Dillinger (303.273.3213 or [email protected]) or visit giving.mines.edu/givingguide.